Terence Blanchard and Playwright Michael Cristofer to Premiere New Opera

‘Champion’ will receive world premiere in St. Louis in June 2013

Composer and trumpeter Terence Blanchard and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael Cristofer will premiere a new jointly composed opera, Champion, June 15-30, 2013 at the Opera Theatre of St. Louis. The collaboration is a joint commission by the Opera Theatre and Jazz St. Louis. Blanchard will write the music and Cristofer the libretto. Based on the story of prizefighter Emile Griffith, the opera will star Denyce Graves, Aubrey Allicock, Arthur Woodley, Robert Orth and Meredith Arwady, and will be directed by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Artistic Director James Robinson. There will be six performances of Champion. Tickets to Champion are now available as part of a subscription to Opera Theatre of St. Louis. Single tickets will go on sale February 2013.jazztimes.com